Shoalhaven Hospital: Nowra Park to be bought for redevelopment

A $4M investment in south coast health will help fast-track the redevelopment of the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital.

The redevelopment of Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital has been fast-tracked to begin in 2020-21.

An additional $4 million will be invested in fast-tracking the planned redevelopment of the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the additional money would help pay for the purchase of nearby Nowra Park, an essential piece of land needed for construction to begin before March, 2023.

The total amount invested by the government on the project is now $438 million, he said.

The $4 million will also cover detailed site investigations, including in-ground investigations, services diversions and potential in-ground works, and design works, including clinical design.

Redevelopment of Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital has been fast-tracked to begin in 2020-21.

“The land acquisition of Nowra Park is necessary to provide for the expansion of clinical services at Shoalhaven Hospital,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in regional hospitals to ensure patients receive high-quality health care closer to home.”

He said clinical services planning was already underway to identify the range of health services the Illawarra Shoalhaven community will need in future years.

By 2031, the Shoalhaven catchment is predicted to grow by 12 per cent, with significantly faster population growth in the 70 and over age groups, NSW Health said.

NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the additional money will help pay for the purchase of nearby Nowra Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“We also want to incorporate the lessons, the insights and the many breakthroughs we‘ve made as a health service during COVID-19 to future-proof our services and the buildings that house them,” the department said.

According to NSW Health, the finished redevelopment will have increased surgical capacity, acute medical and aged care beds, more operating theatres and expanded elective surgery and increased capacity in the emergency department and intensive care unit.

Minister for local government and South Coast MP Shelley Hancock has welcomed the news. Picture: Sue Graham

It will also include an expanded mental health services, subacute care including rehabilitation and palliative care, an expansion of outpatient and ambulatory care, and enhanced medical imaging and nuclear medicine capacity.

South Coast state Liberal MP Shelley Hancock said she welcomed the news the upgraded health facilities would be delivered faster than previously planned, and highlighted the concept plan’s use of “green space” and an inclusive playground.

Kiama state Liberal MP Kiama Gareth Ward said: “With the ongoing investments we have already put into the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital, this is the next big step after the completion of the $11.8 million hospital car park project this year.”